Where to get oxfords for wide feet?
To start off, Allen Edmonds Park Avenues at EEE are too narrow ... but considerably too wide at the heels, for me. I went to an AE store the other day, and after trying on a few sizes, the salesman simply told me there isn't any way to make their Oxfords work for me. So, any idea where I can go to for shoes that fit?
I don't have an immediate need for oxfords, but since this may take a long time would be good to start figuring out what's possible. (Also derbies I'll have a bit more leeway, but the problem kinda will still be there. So far I've been coping with oversized boots.)
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Alden goes up to EEEE. I fit (barely) in one of their loafers in EE, Oxfords are different though, and I don't know if the shape of the lasts in question will work.
I've seen some shoe companies making affordable, more English style shoes - Barker, Bridlen, Archibald - get mentioned, but I don't think they're wider than AE, and I feel like their banana last shapes are going to be quite hard to work with. That's all I've got.
What’s your brannock size?
a bit under 9
I've been told EE and so on for width but EE and EEE are too narrow again and again
Do you have a picture of your foot on a brannock / what is the size and width of the shoes you’re trying?
No picture at the moment, I'll try making measurements at home to try contacting some companies with.
I tried 8.5, 9, 9.5 EEE (and a 9.5E or something) yesterday though
Have same issue (or similar - toe box is too small) and AE don't work for me. If you find something let me know!
Yeah advice often stops at AE...
My feet are about 25 & 25.7 cm long, 10.5 cm wide (and that width for a large section of the left foot), 25 cm circumference
Ballparking from measurements, you’re not far off of an 8.5 EE/EEE.
AE is pretty well known for having fucked Oxford lasts, so no surprise there - similarly no surprise that you’d have difficulty finding dress shoes at that size & width.
Probably the best recs I really have handy are Alden or Grant Stone. I def prefer Alden, but they’re budget prohibitive when new (though common second hand!)
Unfortunately I go the other way in width, so I’m not as familiar with wider makers.
Could also look at less formal, but certainly wider options. Viberg, Oakstreet Bootmakers, Rancourt, and maybe Whites/Nicks/Franks might make derbies or bluchers that you find serviceable.
Yep on the size! For derbies there's more options. Likely AE works too. Part of this is there's a small chance I'll need some conservative business uniform in a year or 2...
Grant Stone doesn't make their normal cap toe Oxford wider than E. In general, they currently only have slightly oddball shoes available in EEE rather than E width - been that way for loafers for months now.
It's rather scary that possibly my only option is Alden for Oxfords as well... Very wide sizes really don't come up much on eBay either I'm afraid to say.
Also you say AE has fucked lasts but pretty sure they're more accommodating than English makers' shoes...
I'll try emailing some places though